October 06, 2009

The Peanut Turns Five!

Dear Peanut,

Happy 5th birthday!

Although you're completely ecstatic about this day, I think my own excitement might actually trump your own. Why? Mainly because I no longer have to keep hearing, "Daddy, daddy, daddy! How many more days until I turn five?"

Don't get me wrong, kiddo. It was cute for awhile but after 5,000 times in one month, I was starting to think about canceling Christmas (FYI, it's in about 80 days.)

Five is an amazingly fun age, Peanut. You've really turned into a person now and it simultaneously enthralls and scares the crap out of me. On the one hand, you still love cuddling on the couch with me and reading books together. On the other hand, you don't always want to hold my hand in public anymore because I might be cramping your style. That kills me!

Here are just a few things I'll want to remember about
you at this age:

You're a ridiculously funny kid. Last year was all poop jokes and fart noises. Now, you do impersonations. You invent hilarious new dances. Your sense of sarcasm grows daily. And you love playing pranks on me (hiding my cellphone in the fridge was a good one!) You also have a uniquely funny way of playing make-believe. While other girls pretend they're princesses, you like to pretend you're a pizza delivery man or a UPS truck driver. You're such a city kid.

I never cease to be amazed at how you can spread joy to so many people solely by your warm and affectionate nature. You're always there with a quick hug or a kiss to cheer someone up. And when you truly love someone, you're not afraid to say it or show it. Adults could learn a lot from a kid like you.

You're as stubborn as I am and we have our fair share of epic battles. We never yell or scream at each other. It's more like Jedi warfare. Last week, we left the playground because it was raining. You were so pissed, you gave me the silent treatment and shot Korean Death Stares (KDS) at my back while walking twenty feet behind me in the grocery store. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and tried to give you a hug but you stuck up your hand and said, "Not right now, Daddy. I need my privacy." What the hell? Sometimes I think you're 5 going on 40. I love it.

You love being a helper. Whenever I cook, you're always next to me as my sous chef or busy setting the table. You love working with Aunt Di in the garden or helping Uncle Paul wash his cars. You even love cleaning the apartment. The funny thing is that you draw the line at bathrooms and whenever you see me scrub a toilet, you think it's the funniest thing you've ever seen. "Haha, Daddy. That's where the poop goes!" (Ok, so you're not completely over the poop jokes.)

You're enrolled in Spanish and Korean classes and are slowly becoming trilingual. Whenever you hear someone speak Spanish, you like to bust out in song. You know at least 20 different Spanish songs and waiters all over town now laugh when you enter the restaurant singing "Felize Navidad" ...again.

You're at that age where your tiny brain can memorize anything almost instantly. You love "reading" entire books to me from memory. Alternatively I love teaching you funny lyrics. Last month, I made you call your grandmother and sing, "I said a hip hop the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop, a you don't stop the rock it to the bang bang boogie say up jumped the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat." I'm still laughing over that one.

I love having conversations with you. It's one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. Sometimes we'll just sit on the couch and talk about things that are on your mind. Sometimes you'll ask me questions about the moon and the stars. Other times you'll talk to me about your grandfather's death or your love of fried chicken. I know it sounds silly because you're only five but I hope that we'll always be able to talk openly with one another like this.

There are so many things that I love about you at this age, I couldn't even begin to put them all down on paper. In fact, I still can't believe that you're 5 today. It's strange. Sometimes it feels like you were just born yesterday. On the other hand, it's hard to remember a time in my life when you weren't in it.

There are just a few things I want to tell you about how I feel about you, Peanut.

I'm not one of those parents who thinks that his child is more special than any other one.

I'm not one of those parents who wants to be best friends with his child.

I'm not one of those parents who tries to be the cool dad.

That being said, I'm so incredibly proud of the little girl you've become. I feel closer to you than with any other human being alive. I love spending all my time with you. And I'm glad you enjoy having fun with your goofy weird dad.

Have a great birthday, Peanut. I love you with all my heart.

Love,Daddy

P.S. One more thing you enjoy at this age is sticking your finger up every statue's butt. We've practically been banned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are now forced to hang out with lawn statues. I have to admit though, it's still pretty funny!

yeah i love the aquas they are my favorite too. the pedopas were my favorite 8s, but once i got them i started liking the aquas more for some reason lol. but yeah 8s are amazing. btw. Johnny Cage is the shit! lol

Mann gettin shout out from this man right here!! is a hlbnuimg experience u dig! for a man that has basically almost all jordans and still be down to earth and giving shout outs like that . respect brah!! and all you other young sneakerhead that so cocky (internet gangsta, Ethuggin) whatever u wanna call it, u need to learn something from this man right here!! props to ya brah!! keep em vids comin! enjoy them very much!!

What choice do you have? The satfey of your daughter over making someones life a little easier. I would go for the satfey of your daughter. Also if any of these other parents were in your shoes guarantee they wouldn't think twice about making it peanut free. It's nice of you to worry about others but your daughter is your main concern.

WOW!!! Thank you for such nice words I would just like to say as Jordan's mom that you made our experience very mmoareble and FUN !!!! Pictures are amazing you definately have a special gift. There was such a sweet spirit in your studio and I knew instantly that Christ was going to be a part of our day what an amazing family! Thank you Chris and Deanna and especially to Elizabeth for holding up walls and helping dad .what a sweet girl you are!!! May God Bless you and I can promise you that you will see us again! Melissa Gallaway

Alloush,After seeing them again, I can tell what I alwyas tell you, You are such a great person, Photographer, Friend, and I felt like we lost many moments we could have enjoyed together!I love your way of taking those VERY UNIQUE Pictures the first time you brought us one, and the wall we have for you in Bayt.com Jordan, is a very one of a kind, and I think you remember how much time we spent together trying to make it a very memorized Blog for all Bayt.com Old and New ppl , and even our visitors, to be able to see what a great family we all gained within and after working with bayt.com..Keep the unique, stunning good work, and remember that it is a MUST for you to visit us at least once a year!Love you

Simply amazing . my car shtfoha keef tal3a kteer 7elweh belsoora, ama ba2i el sowar mashi 7alhom.i bought another car come and take pictures of it i love you all my friends and those are the days i will never forget, Thank you 3alooooshcome to visit us soon i am planning a whole program that will bring your lips up to your ears salamat ..

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